Injuries have taken as much of a toll on Oakland's lineup in the past few weeks as anything, along with the Yoenis Céspedes trade - and the combination really sunk the offense.

On Monday, the A's got shortstop Jed Lowrieback. He'd been dearly missed in the lineup and defensively, both areas taking a dip without him. He provided two singles and scored a run, and his presence meant that Eric Sogard could go back to second base, making the entire middle infield better.

Lowrie is "one of those subtle guys who really has an impact for us," manager Bob Melvinsaid. "A two-way player we've really counted on."

Lowrie missed three weeks with a fractured right index finger. He said the finger hasn't totally healed, but "it's good enough to go for it, and I think if it's more manageable, that's all that matters. I can put more on it, get it across the diamond. It's all hands on deck right now."

There was plenty of other good medical information Monday. Coco Crisp(neck) was scheduled to hit right-handed, and he'll have more trigger-point injections Tuesday. They worked well in resolving a similar problem last month.

John Jaso (concussion) took batting practice in the cage. He's unlikely to catch again this season, but if he can return to pinch hit, the A's would be very happy with that.

Very good news for the A's: Closer Sean Doolittle (intercostal strain) was doing "sock throws," a means to perform a delivery without too much stress on the body. Melvin said he wouldn't rule out the possibility of Doolittle coming off the disabled list when eligible Monday, or soon thereafter.

Doolittle said the throwing went very well - and with all the core work he's doing to recover, "I'm going to have a sweet six-pack."

Briefly: Outfielder Billy Burns was called up Monday, along with reliever Fernando Rodriguezand catcher Bryan Anderson. ... Minor-league left hander Joe Savery was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Anderson. ... Geovany Sotothrew out Endy Chaveztrying to steal second in the fifth. A's opponents were successful in 77 of their previous 91 attempts.

On deck

Tuesday

vs. Mariners

7:05 p.m. CSNCA

Paxton (4-1) vs. Gray (13-7)

Wednesday

vs. Mariners

12:35 p.m. CSNCA

Hernandez (13-5) vs. Lester (13-9)

Thursday

Off

Leading off

Making progress: Jarrod Parker is playing catch at a distance of 90 feet after his second Tommy John surgery; Arizona's Daniel Hudson is working in relief after his second such surgery. Like Parker, Hudson plans to be a full-time starter again.